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Whether you’re anxious about the future, stressed out with school, or just want to become better at mindful introspection, journaling is a healthy habit to get into. When starting to journal, it can be hard to know what to write about. While journaling about feelings and thoughts might come naturally to some, it can be helpful to have some guidance to get started. Prompts are great for beginners, but even if you’re an experienced journaler, prompts can guide you in a new direction that you’ve never explored before. When writing, don’t worry about being organized or “perfect”… this isn’t an English class. Get your thoughts down on paper in whatever way feels the most natural for you! Here are some journaling prompts in all different realms to get you started:
- What 3 ordinary things bring you joy and why?
- How do you show yourself kindness each day?
- What are 10 things that inspire you?
- What do you look forward to in the future?
- What scares you?
- What are you most anxious about right now?
- Write a letter to your past/future self.
- Dear ______, it weighs on me that I’ve never told you…
- What’s something you’ve never told anyone?
- What is the dominant emotion in your life right now?
- What is your most vivid memory from childhood?
- What are the most important things you value in a relationship?
- Write a letter to someone you need to forgive.
- What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
- What are your best character traits?
- How would you like to make this world a better place?
- What’s not working in your life right now?
- Write about someone/something that you miss.
- What areas of your life are causing you stress?
- What does your ideal day look like?
- Who is someone you envy and why?
- What’s something you wish others knew about you?
- What does friendship mean to you?
- If someone gave you $1,000, but you could only spend it on others, who would you spend it on and why?
- If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?
- Where do you feel most at peace?
Remember, these prompts are meant to guide you. Take them in any direction. They are just starting points to get you thinking and writing! I suggest journaling for 15 minutes in the morning when you wake up before going on social media, and another 15 minutes before bed so your phone isn’t the last thing you look at before you head to sleep. Journaling is a great way to solve an internal conflict, get words down that you don’t want to say out loud, or simply ground yourself. For beginners, it’s crucial that you find a journal layout that works best for you. There are several types of journals, so it’s important to find the kind that works for you! I will link a few of my favorite journals below: